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Lot Essay
Scholastic opinion differs on the length of Pietro Manani's working life (variously 1610-1720), and it is possible that there were two, father and son. Nolfo di Carpegna lists him as 'one of the most active craftsmen of his time', and records thirty-eight known examples of his work, as well as five different forms of his signature, to which must be added three forms of the 'Pietro Mana' signature, possibly that of his son. The signature on these pistols is not recorded, probably because it went unnoticed by Schedelmann.
Lazaro Lazarino Cominazzo was a member of the extensive Comminazzo dynasty of barrelsmiths of Gardone and Brescia, the Cominazzo signature being the most celebrated of all those found on Brescian firearms. The latest research by Carpegna is unable to identify him precisely, but tentatively inclines toward Lazaro di Jacomo (b. 1632), or Lazaro di Lorenzo (b. 1646). The 'Lazaro Lazarino Cominazzo' signature is found only on flintlock pistols of outstanding quality, for example the pair made by Paolo Francese for King Charles XI of Sweden in the Livrustkammaren, Stockholm (inv. nos. 1635-6), and the pair by Francesco Garato sold in these Rooms, 14 December 1976, lot 7 (26,200). See N. di Carpegna, op. cit., pp. 190-1 and 227-272).
Lazaro Lazarino Cominazzo was a member of the extensive Comminazzo dynasty of barrelsmiths of Gardone and Brescia, the Cominazzo signature being the most celebrated of all those found on Brescian firearms. The latest research by Carpegna is unable to identify him precisely, but tentatively inclines toward Lazaro di Jacomo (b. 1632), or Lazaro di Lorenzo (b. 1646). The 'Lazaro Lazarino Cominazzo' signature is found only on flintlock pistols of outstanding quality, for example the pair made by Paolo Francese for King Charles XI of Sweden in the Livrustkammaren, Stockholm (inv. nos. 1635-6), and the pair by Francesco Garato sold in these Rooms, 14 December 1976, lot 7 (26,200). See N. di Carpegna, op. cit., pp. 190-1 and 227-272).